Video: The value of taking a narrative approach to level design

Since time immemorial (or at least the 20th century) games have been designed so that players move through levels while overcoming challenges.

But if you're making a game that's mainly aimed at telling a great story, rather than challenging the player's skills, how do you design levels to best support that narrative? At GDC 2017, game designer Jolie Menzel shared some advice on the issue, drawing on her experience making narrative-focused games at Ubisoft and, before that, Telltale Games.

In addition to practical tips, Menzel argues that level designers of all stripes should familiarize themselves with storytelling techniques and how they can be utilized to evoke a desired feeling from the player. Using those techniques well can help your virtual worlds evoke a variety of feelings in your players, and that's key to making your game a memorable experience.

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